hope.

engulfed in fire, a bird flew beyond her thoughts
and for a second, felt that it was okay to be free. 

she stumbled along her memories 
until she found her way into her dreams 
and reached a river filled with
places she hadn't quite yet been

she impulsively stepped in and began her shallow wade-
each vision vanishing as her hand 
shattered the water.

instead of giving up
she gave her body to the water, 
her hands&feet sunk in 
but her heart remained afloat

closing her eyes,
she felt a soft feather fall 
right upon her cheek

she picked it up & blew it off her hand
as she glided over the crisp images.